St. Lawrence County will sell property to Norwood

NORWOOD - A vacant parcel in Norwood is on its way to being pulled from the St. Lawrence County auction of tax-acquired property for sale to the village, which intends to reoffer it for purchase to adjacent neighbors.

It was an opportunity for the village to play a role, Mayor James H. McFaddin said. We didnt want to take a gamble on the auction.

The village did not want to take the chance that 5 N. Main St. would be purchased by an absentee owner who bought it sight unseen not knowing current code deems it too small to build on, Mr. McFaddin said.

It could have been years before we had the opportunity to do what we want to do, he said.

The village was approached by three nearby property owners who each have a purpose for the lot, Mr. McFaddin said. Bobs Auto wants to expand a used car lot. Hometown Cafe would like more parking. A private home owner wants to add yard space.

In addition, the village uses the lot to store snow and plans to negotiate with the others to continue that practice, Mr. McFaddin said.

The property once had a house on it that burned. Costs of the cleanup, which was done by the village, were re-levied onto 2008 taxes. The amount owed the county is $19,726.40. About $12,000 of that was for the cleanup. The remainder is back taxes, penalties and interest, Treasurer Kevin M. Felt said.

The village offered to purchase the parcel for $3,000. If sold by the village, the county will collect from the municipality any money it receives above $3,000 up to the total cost of the cleanup.

I felt they should make us whole on taxes, Legislative Chairwoman Sallie A. Brothers said at Finance Committee meeting Monday. The village of Norwood wants to be able to control it.

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